Its their get out clause because there is a distinct lack of knowhow in developing half backs these days (and not just at Hull).

Undoubtedly true, but it doesn't entirely negate the genetics point.

Think Scott Moore (Tommy's half back partner for GB academy) was a very similar case. Only difference being he has now made the grade in a role which his body is suited to.

Moore has been able to make the hooking role his own at Huddersfield, Lee would never be able to do that at Hull due to Berrigan been about. FWIW I think Lee has performed very well at hooker this season in particular, and i think he has a rosy future in that role given the right encouragement and gametime to aid his development. Something he clearly won't get at Hull.

If Hull didn't have Berrigan i'd be quite happy with Lee as starting hooker and Houghton as interchange/impact.

You could live with that but only if we had a top class 7. That's been the problem we've rarely had quality in both positions at the same time. Having a top class 7 here for the last few years may have had a very positive effect on players like Lee and Houghton. Berrigan for all his class and undoubted great record wasn't the right player at the right time. Same to some degree could be said about Swain in that a 7 would have been better though he had the added quality of leadership. Our recruitment policy has been reactive instead of planned and left a lot to be desired for many years. We've gone for the available name rather than the need and believed we could make do elsewhere. We are suffering from it now. It's ironic that we could now let Lee go when we're going to have that top class 7 coming in. Are we planning what we do when Long and Berrigan go/retire? I hope so but I doubt it.

Thats what would worry me. They will both go at the same time and will take some replacing.

If we are planning long term bearing in mind the reduction over overseas/non-fed trained etc then maybe we should follow the Giants lead and be looking in the championship for a talented young scrum half who could develop alongside the Long and Berrigans in a full time environment.

What about the U18s 7 that we have? 2 or 3 years playing/training with Long should be ok?

If we stop trying to turn every 7 we unearth into a 9 and every natural 9 into a 13 we may be ok!!

So Motu is gone. What is stopping us announcing the departure of the other OOC players ??? Thackray, Lee, Thorman, Horne etcc...

Let's get them announced ASAP and move on in the right driection finally !!!


And please please please Captain Fantastic....will you go somewhere aswell....rugby union, Wakefield, Salford anywhere will do !!!

Im sure the club will announce who is being relased when the time is right for the cluband the player! Not just because some fans want to know

And actually some of the players touted around as being released may not actually go if we cant find another club to take them.

True. Maybe a potential signing does not come off and one of the 'to be' released players suddenly gets kept on.

But but but......... fans are demanding to know!! lol

No chance I am affraid!

Certainly not happening next season believe you me, he will still be around!

Good .... we just need to keep him away from playing loose forward.

Well all being well we will have Washy there next season and of course the back up of Whiting

with us having more power in the pack next year, this should enable us to have a ball playing 13, washy is our loose man and hopefully he will stay fit and have a successful career.

Lee to Salford is a done deal i got told yesterday.

That's all well and good from yours, mine and many others vierwpoint but will he actualy play a ball playing 13? I doubt it, regardless of who is fit. I can see us going with Fitz at 13

If that is the case then don't be suprised if he goes on to be a top quality SL player, maybe international level.

You may be right - but I would be amazed. I would however be pleased for him if he got another SL contract in another team as a hooker.

Hilarious

No, you’re right. I mean, no other coaching set up in SL has the ability to bring on young talent like Hull FC.

This is Tommy Lee we're talking about, 21 years old, been in and around the first team for four years, if he was going to become something he would have.